LDVinNC

Got an email yesterday saying this.  Only problem is:  we have not requested a refund.  Our trip planned for this summer was rebooked for next year.  I guess this was an error but it makes me wonder.   I will watch my credit card.

22 hours ago, Dupont941 said:

 

 

I’ve done two cruises with them and neither itineraries were done as scheduled.  In fact, one cruise on the Mississippi was changed to the Ohio one week before.  A different departure port meant a 12th hour flight change.  The time onboard and crew are fine but the company is rigid and not great at problem solving.

Last year we were on the Mighty Mississippi trip from New Orleans to Red Wing.  Mid-voyage, they had to change from going the whole route on the Mississippi to diverting on the Ohio.  Lots of unhappy travelers but what could they do? Mother Nature was calling the shots.  The water levels were too high.

They brought a young lady on board who worked hard for days to re-book everyone on new flights home from Cincinnati instead of Minneapolis.  Any upcharges were paid by AQSC.  Free travel to airport at the end of the trip (usually $25pp).  Plus we got a 25% future cruise credit.  I think they solved the problem quite well under the circumstance.  We will try the same trip next year, coronavirus permitting.

23 hours ago, Dupont941 said:

I am a little bit.  They want 90 days to return my payment for a cruise they canceled.  I understand the cancellation but don’t understand the need for 90 days.

 

Even the large cruise lines are slow in refunding for cancelled cruises.  We waited 90 days + for a large refund from Princess.  

They should darn well put this on their website!

I agree, print out a copy and bring it along.

I thought I saw what you are looking for on the alerts screen:

The future cruise certificate will include voyage fare, hotel packages, city stay packages and insurance.

But then I noticed that it also says "- This policy is in effect until 12/31/2020."

Notice no mention of excursions.

As of right now (1:30 pm EDT on 9/3) AQSC is not on the list dated today of covered cruise lines for Allianz.  This is worrisome. 

However, as previously mentioned, Victory Cruise Lines IS still on the list and they are owned by the same entity.  Go figure.

A couple of weeks ago we made a $2k deposit payment on a cruise next summer that was on hold.  I mentioned a FCC letter that we had previously received and to my surprise, they credited $500 to our credit card.  I thought it would be a discount at final payment time.  I thought that was a good sign.

Also not overly concerned.  Once they get going again I think they will be totally full since a lot of folks will no longer consider ocean cruises.  I know we will stick to travel within the USA.

Who knows - but I sure hope so!

19 hours ago, adstz said:

AQSC updated their website today. No sailings thru August 31, 2020.

When are they going to figure this out?

My cruise in September (American Queen) goes into 3 states - Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. Really can't see 3 different states letting them dock. 

My guess is they are waiting for people to cancel so they don't have to give extra FCC to anyone.

When I finally do sail with them it will probably be a one and done. We have paid in full so I have no choice now.

Not impressed with them right now.

Give them a break - every cruise line is in turmoil right now.  Took 3 months for us to get a large sum back from Princess.  We have taken a number of cruises with AQSC and have loved every one of them.

I looked at a few of the cruises on the website and the ones I see still show the hotel stay.

Interesting.  I just looked at our reservation confirmation for July 2021 Mighty Mississippi on the American Queen and it does show the date and pre-cruise hotel "TBD Minneapolis Hotel".  Hope they do not try to back out on that.

Such a shame for all those employees.  We are due to make a $2000 payment at the end of August for a trip next year.  Guess we will have to make it or we will lose the $500 administrative fee.  Just hope the company remains viable.

You are right - I was in NC when I joined cruise critic but am now in FL or VA. 

Anyway, the demographic that is drawn to AQSC is generally older and you would think has the good sense to take precautions for themselves and those around them.

Sadly, we do not see that in Florida and that is what will keep us from cruising in the near future.  Hoping for all this to end by July 2021 when our next AQSC trip is planned.

On 7/24/2020 at 11:36 AM, diplomats said:

 I sympathize with AQSC situation but clients need advance warning of cancellations.  We are anxious to go if the sailing makes.  We feel confident we cn protect ourselves. 

Totally agree with your first sentence, but not the last.  Those HOHO buses are the sticking point for us.  Each of us caught a cold on them last summer.  Not a big deal, but COVID sure would be.

Yes, it still does not load correctly.

Princess cancelled most of their cruises through late in the year - we were booked in late November and that cruise is cancelled.  I don't think there will be any cruising for the rest of the year.

Which boat?  I think their smaller boats' passenger capacity might exempt those from the order.

But I would not want to be cruising anywhere until COVID is no longer an issue, which might be a long time from now.

10 hours ago, pcur said:

And, everyone is checking what is provided with their credit card's benefits, right?  Just a reminder.

Unfortunately, many credit cards have reduced or eliminated their travel benefits.

5 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Yes, it is getting worse and not better, but in Texas, at least, a good percentage of the occupied ICU beds are occupied by non-Covid-19 patients.

So, the beds occupied by COVID patients are not available for "routine" critical illnesses - heart attacks, strokes, etc.  How can this be a good thing?

I do hope they are standardizing the perks across the vessels.

Oh, good.  Sorry you had to go through so much grief!

Done with Princess.  Just got a letter from my CC saying Princess will not refund a $320 charge - which was for an air upgrade - and say a random $157 credit covers it.  Still waiting for a $200 deposit made onboard to be cleared.  Fortunately they did refund the large amount of the fare.  Ridiculous this has taken so long.

This is probably not much help, but why not switch to next year.  That is what we have done.  I was worried a lot about the HOHO buses, among other things.  And, the way things are going right now, I really doubt there will be ANY cruising this year.

20 hours ago, diplomats said:

Re the last two postings, it does appear that the language in AQSC alerts has changed, dropping mention of 100% refund.  Wonder if this is oversight or intentional??

Oversight?  Doubtful. Hope I am wrong.  Here is what they posted:

For those impacted by the extended suspensions, AQSC is contacting all guests and travel agents regarding their upcoming cruises and available options. For guests that are booked during this time, the company will be providing a future cruise credit for 125 percent of the cruise fare. 

3 hours ago, njhoo said:

We’re booked on the Countess the end of October on the Tennessee River, for a while now I’ve been giving it 50-50 odds of sailing.  Paid in full last December.

Sadly I'd give it 90-10 against.  We switched our trip to next year.

15 hours ago, Travelertoo2 said:

 

 

All of the major cruise lines settle within 90 days.  Why is it taking American Queen so long.

 

 

We waited over 90 days for a 40k refund from Princess.  Have received it - whew.  If you look at other lines' boards here, you will see MANY people still waiting.  Not that I excuse them, you understand...

I have found AQSC to be very cooperative in changing trips, but have not requested a refund.